EASTENDERS viewers have been gripped ever since evil Dean Wicks made his return to Walford.
The rapist’s arrival has since left Linda Carter in turmoil, with things getting worst when he blackmailed her.
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Why did Dean Wicks blackmail Linda Carter in EastEnders?
It all started when Dean Wicks ended up falling down the stairs of the Queen Vic after George Knight slapped him, following a confrontation with Linda.
He was the rushed to hospital and Ian Beale was left unimpressed when partner Cindy – who had witnessed the exchange and Dean’s fall – claimed she didn’t see what happened.
Ian accused her of protecting ex-husband George.
But Cindy insisted she just didn’t want to see her daughters – Anna and Gina – without a dad, as George could go to prison if Dean reported what he did.
This is because he already has a suspended sentence for attacking someone while living in Spain.
Evil Dean then decided to use this information to his advantage.
Seizing the moment, Dean told told Linda he wouldn’t go to the police about what had happened – but only if she told everyone in Walford she had lied about him raping her.
When did Dean Wicks return to Albert Square?
After months of speculation from EastEnders fans, Dean Wicks returned to Albert Square in October 2023.
The character was last seen in Albert Square in 2016, after his on-screen alter ego chased out of the fictional London borough of Walford by his own father.
Dean came back during the soap’s Halloween instalment.
Linda was horrified to see her attacker standing in the kitchen of The Queen Vic – the same room he attacked her in.
Dean raped Linda in the Queen Vic pub in 2014 which lead to her breaking down and recounting her horrific ordeal to husband Mick on Christmas Day that year.
Previously talking about the evil rapist’s return to the soap, a source told : “Dean is the ultimate villain so to bring him back was a genius move especially with everything that’s coming up this autumn.
‘There’s also the small matter of the big murder at Christmas, could it be Dean’s body under the tree?
‘We know that Linda is one of the women involved, and this just throws another name in the mix. It’s a very exciting time.’
Who plays Dean Wicks in EastEnders?
Evil Dean Wicks is played by Matt Di Angelo, who originally played the character as well.
He joined EastEnders for two years between 2006 and 2008.
Matt then returned to Walford for another two-year stint between 2014 and 2016, before making his third comeback in 2023.
Since leaving the soap he has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and BBC drama Hustle.
